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08 July 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Supplied
Vrystaat Arts Festival 2025
Come and experience the arts that make life meaningful at the 2025 Vrystaat Arts Festival from 15 to 19 July 2025 on the University of the Free State Bloemfontein Campus.

The University of the Free State (UFS) is proud to once again open its Bloemfontein Campus to one of South Africa’s most beloved cultural traditions – the Vrystaat Arts Festival – taking place from 15 to 19 July 2025. This year marks 25 years since the UFS first became a partner of the festival, a milestone that celebrates not only a rich artistic legacy but also a deep-rooted commitment to creativity, community, and connection.

Adding much significance this year is the presence of the UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester C. Klopper, who will be experiencing the festival for the very first time as part of the UFS community.

“It has been a quarter of a century of growth, togetherness, multi-faceted inspiration, and joyful celebration,” says Prof Klopper.

“This partnership … embodies our fundamental commitment to social impact and our belief that universities should be catalysts for cultural development and social cohesion.”

With theatre, literature, music, film, visual arts, interactive exhibitions, and a strong showing by UFS students and staff, the festival is a multi-sensory celebration of South African talent and thought.

A highlight of the programme is a tribute to Prof Nico Luwes, a beloved figure in Free State theatre and former Head of the UFS Department of Drama. Prof Klopper will also lead this year’s UFS Thought-Leader Panel Discussion on 17 July at 12:00, unpacking the theme ‘Reimagining Higher Education for Employability and Sustainability’ in the Albert Wessels Auditorium.

Two exciting book launches will further enrich the programme:

  • Thinking Through Food in South Africa: Identities, Embodiment and Representation co-edited by Prof Vasu Reddy, UFS Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, and Prof Lebo Moletsane from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (15 July), and

  • Research and Activism: Ruth First and Activist Research co-edited by Prof Saleem Badat, Research Professor in the UFS Department of History, and Prof Reddy (16 July).

As Prof Klopper reflects:

“This festival strengthens the bonds between our university and the broader Free State community, embodying the spirit of ubuntu that defines our institution.”

With fresh energy, familiar traditions, and a quarter-century of memories, the 2025 Vrystaat Arts Festival is set to be a celebration like no other.

 

Here are just some of the UFS contributions to this year’s festival:

 

Department of Drama

Die bruikbare idioot 
Verbode Gedagtes in Stereo
Rooikappie en die Drie Varkies 
Gebou soos Steffi Graf
The semblance of permanence
Willemien en Meraaitjie en Willie Wragtig die Troeteldrakie! 
Bielie 
Die Moedige Avonture van Prinses Petronella 
Harte-Bliksems 
Perspectives on Perspectives of Love 
The Masks 
 

 

Visual Arts

In Resonance 
Oh no! She swallowed a fly! 
Sticks and figures drawing workshop 

 

 

Literature 

Thinking Through Food in South Africa: Identities, Embodiment and Representation  
Henriette Grové, bekende dramaturg en prosaïs 
Sy word Sestig!  
Transponering van romans na dramas en/of films 
Van Egoli via 7de Laan tot in Binnelanders
Hulde aan die helde: Nico Luwes  
Research and Activism: Ruth First and Activist Research 
Spookstories van CJ Langenhoven 
Sprankelverse uit die oude doos 
 

 

Vlieks

Cleanse 
Echoes of the Land 
Sehlabelo 
Lag en Legende: ’n Wandeling deur die loopbaan van Tobie Cronjé  
 

 

Sci-ed

Sci-Ed interactive exhibits 
Sci-Ed Science Café 
Sci-Ed Science Café: Sterre en Planete 
Science@Dinner 
Science Show at Sci-Ed 
Sci-Ed Stargazing 
Wetenskapvertoning by Sci-Ed  
Make your bath bombs 
Make and launch your own parachute  
Make your own marshmallows 
Make your own rocket 
 

 

Planetarium

Bedreigings vir Aarde: satelliete, asteroïede en meer … 
Max Goes to the Moon 
Mysteries of your Brain 
Passport to the Universe / Ruimtevorms 
Threats to Earth: satellites, asteroids, and more … 
Wêrelde buite die Aarde 

Worlds Beyond Earth

Entrance tickets to the festival grounds and the theatre productions are already on sale at Webtickets 

Come and experience the arts that make life meaningful.

News Archive

Right to Learn cyclists still solid on the pedals
2017-11-29


  Description: Right to Learn cyclists Tags: UFS Right to Learn, Given and Gain, Cape Town, Prof Nicky Morgan, Asive Dlanjwa, students, cycling, Qwaqwa, Bloemfontein

Asive Dlanjwa, Bloemfontein Campus SRC President, on the
morning of their departure from Bloemfontein.
Photo: Nhlanhla Modzanane


It is a new day and the Right to Learn cycling team continues to make its way to Cape Town.The team arrived at their first stop in Luckhoff on day one, after cycling for 182 kilometres in five hours and five minutes. They left Luckhoff at 05:00 in the morning on day two, heading towards Britstown via De Aar and arrived at midday. On day three, the team will rest in Britstown and will continue cycling on day four, 30 November 2017, to Victoria West for 133 kilometres via Merriman.

Looking forward to another day
Asive Dlanjwa, Bloemfontein Campus SRC President, felt confident about day two despite the strong winds that they experienced along the way. “I’m feeling strong, I actually thought after day one that I’ll be feeling a bit weak, but I just don’t know how we are going to make it in this wind,” he says. Dlanjwa and his fellow cyclists cycled for 213 kilometres to Britstown, where they ended their race for day two. 

Kovsies fully behind cycling team

The tour began on 27 November 2017 in Bloemfontein, when they were sent off by Prof Nicky Morgan, former Vice-Rector: Operations, Pura Mgolombane, Dean of Student Affairs, and their Kovsie peers. Prof Morgan encouraged the team to have a wonderful and enjoyable journey, acknowledging that the journey will not be an easy one. “I want you to know that you have the support of everyone here at the UFS,” he said.
 
Messages of support continue to pour in for the team on the UFS social media platforms. The Qwaqwa Campus SRC President, Hlalele Masopha, also sent his best wishes to his mate, saying, “I wish the President with his crew a quantity of good fortune and extremely good success.” He says, “This is for the betterment of the students and the institution.”  

There have been no reports of any injuries or medical defects incurred by the cyclists nor the supporting team who are travelling with them. The team is expected to arrive in Cape Town on 4 December 2017.  

You can make a donation as follows: 

Give-n-gain page

 

EFT transaction:
Please use the following bank details:
Bank: ABSA Bank
Account Number: 1570850721
Branch Code: 632005
Account Type: Cheque
Reference: R2L: Right to Learn
Send the proof of payment Rinda Duraan: duraanmj@ufs.ac.za

Debit order: Download the form and email it to Rinda Duraan

All donations are tax deductible in terms of South African income tax legislation.  


Related article:

27 November: Kovsies SRC President cycles to raise money for registration


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